A letter from the Neptune Society is a rite of passage I would gladly forego, but they are relentless.
I’ve been getting them for a couple of years, and it occurred to me that it might be nice to share them with those of you who don’t have death breathing down your neck, in the form of cremation offers.
The Neptune Society has the market cornered in name recognition. There are many companies that provide the same services for less than half the price, but in California, most people think Neptune Society. In fact, that’s what my mom arranged for herself.
(Remember when she left me one dollar in her will? She thought of everything!)
Inside the envelope is a syrupy letter explaining why you should ease the burden on your loved ones by planning your cremation in advance. There are a lot of euphemisms, naturally, but here’s the essence of the pitch:
Cremation planning grants your family time to grieve your loss and celebrate your life rather than face confusing choices and high costs.
Fuck my family, know what I mean? Let them face the confusing choices, I’m certainly not going to do it for them.
Here’s what I love about the Neptune Society letters – this hilarious insert.
It’s their clever way of getting your phone number so their salespeople can torment you. Because who could resist a PRE-PAID CREMATION! They make it sound like a trip to Hawaii. And why does that guy with the baby look so happy? Did he just win a cremation or did he find out his parents “planned ahead”?
People in my neighborhood by the harbor are inclined to borrow a boat and throw their loved ones’ ashes into the sea. It’s a DIY kind of thing that really appeals to me. I once wanted to be scattered at Nordstrom, but now I’m conflicted. And truthfully, I’ve been spending more time at Marshall’s.
As an unwavering Doubter, I wouldn’t trust the Neptune Society or any company to scatter my ashes at sea. How would you know they didn’t just throw you in the trash in a Walmark plastic bag full of coffee grounds?
If you want to see a comprehensive breakdown of fees for cremation and burial services, go here. Note that it’s $25 extra to remove a pace-maker.
Maybe there’s a way to get these fuckers to take me off their mailing list, but it’s a nice reminder of my mortality. Plus, it inspires me to face a new day, just to spite the Neptune Society.
You should let your loved ones put your remains on e-Bay.
http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodybrokers-industry/
The insert is pretty hysterical, made even more so by the fact that they put the name of last month’s “winner” in it. Let’s everybody get his number and call to tell him how thrilled we are for him!
I wonder if they throw the old pace-maker in with the ashes given to the grieving, celebrating, and confused?
This post is right up there with the Lesbian Stick.
Thank you.
Fuck my family, know what I mean? Let them face the confusing choices, I’m certainly not going to do it for them.
That’s the best comment I’ve read in a long time. Scattered at Nordstrom…too funny. I have it written down to be scattered in a few of my favorite parks nearby, and the rest dumped in St. Joe Bay. I’m counting on my life insurance to cover the cost of a trip and a party, there, for anyone who wants to go. Don’t think there will be enough to cover the liquor bill for the party, though;)
What I’m dying to know is what the asterisk is for. “Offer invalid if you’re already dead?”
LOL! You’re back and you’re hilarious.
Have they just put their prices up? It now says $45 for pacemaker removal.
I like that they charge to refrigerate you. You are now as relevant as sausage.
I think $75 is quite good for all of this – Restorative arts (basic), cosmetology, hair (except braiding and extensions) dressing and necessary care needed for viewing.
Long hair/curling, hair dye.
So good, in fact, it might be worth pretending to be dead just to get your hair and make-up done and see how it turns out.
Sis, you should fill the Neptune letter in with someone else’ details. Perhaps a family member or ex-friend.